Golf

[Ian1971]

Has anyone taken up golf to exercise more? I bought some clubs a couple of years ago but not been able to get into it, mainly because I don’t know anyone who plays on my level (badly lol). If there is anyone in the Yorkshire area who fancies playing let me know.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I dabbled a few years ago, partly as an easy way to spend more time with my parents and have a good old natter while walking the round.

A full 18 holes is quite a few miles to walk if I remember right (I did use an exercise tracker / fitbit to monitor it a couple of times).

And it doesn’t feel particularly strenuous, but hitting a bucket or two of balls on a range is actually a bit more exercise than you might think.

Does the place where you play offer lessons? Booking into a group session might introduce you to others who are just starting out?

Plus the handicap system is intended to make playing together with people of different abilities more fun?

 

[Ian1971]

Has anyone taken up golf to exercise more? I bought some clubs a couple of years ago but not been able to get into it, mainly because I don’t know anyone who plays on my level (badly lol). If there is anyone in the Yorkshire area who fancies playing please let me know.

 

[JimmyBlue]

Hi @Ian1971, I retired at the end of last year and had always planned to get back into golf so with a diabetes diagnosis last October, I joined my local club as an associate member until a free membership spot comes up. I regularly play 9 holes with the occasional 18 thrown in for good luck. The exercise is good, lots of walking (mainly in zigzags and amongst the wild things at the side of the fairway) and as my local 8th hole is a par 5 up the side of what I would call a mountain (others say its just a bit of a hill) and I often finish with a cup of tea and tonic water.

The only thing I would point out is that on a hot day it is important to stay hydrated, I had a few spikes on a couple of occasions in the sunny past due to not drinking enough and it took a couple of hours to get things back under control.

Unfortunately I don't live in Yorkshire otherwise the idea of a game would have been fun.

 

[Ian1971]

Hi @Ian1971, I retired at the end of last year and had always planned to get back into golf so with a diabetes diagnosis last October, I joined my local club as an associate member until a free membership spot comes up. I regularly play 9 holes with the occasional 18 thrown in for good luck. The exercise is good, lots of walking (mainly in zigzags and amongst the wild things at the side of the fairway) and as my local 8th hole is a par 5 up the side of what I would call a mountain (others say its just a bit of a hill) and I often finish with a cup of tea and tonic water.

The only thing I would point out is that on a hot day it is important to stay hydrated, I had a few spikes on a couple of occasions in the sunny past due to not drinking enough and it took a couple of hours to get things back under control.

Unfortunately I don't live in Yorkshire otherwise the idea of a game would have been fun.

Thank for your reply. It’s difficult to get into when you don’t know anyone who plays especially when working all week and only having the weekends free. I’m hoping to get out on the course soon though.

 

[effayjay]

Thank for your reply. It’s difficult to get into when you don’t know anyone who plays especially when working all week and only having the weekends free. I’m hoping to get out on the course soon though.

I took up golf when I retired. I didn’t know anyone who played.

I joined my local club and threw myself into it. The pro put me in touch with a member who joined me and marked my card for three rounds so I could get a handicap.

Once you have an official handicap the door opens to all sorts of opportunities to play and meet people. I entered competitions where there was a draw for co competitors, I joined the club seniors section who organised weekly competitions and finally I started joining “roll ups” where people all turn up at agreed time and draw lots for partners.

Within a short time I had a circle of golfing friends at the club, twelve years on I’m still a member and play 3-4 times a week.

If you can, join a club, get a handicap and you’re good to go.

 

[Ian1971]

I took up golf when I retired. I didn’t know anyone who played.

I joined my local club and threw myself into it. The pro put me in touch with a member who joined me and marked my card for three rounds so I could get a handicap.

Once you have an official handicap the door opens to all sorts of opportunities to play and meet people. I entered competitions where there was a draw for co competitors, I joined the club seniors section who organised weekly competitions and finally I started joining “roll ups” where people all turn up at agreed time and draw lots for partners.

Within a short time I had a circle of golfing friends at the club, twelve years on I’m still a member and play 3-4 times a week.

If you can, join a club, get a handicap and you’re good to go.

Thank you. I’m not sure I would get the benefits of joining a club as could only play at the weekends or in the summer after work. It’s good to know that its easy to get into regardless of ability and it sound like golfers are a friendly bunch.

 

[JimmyBlue]

Hi @Ian1971 the other thing to look for is local council or public courses and see if they are running golf academies. A friend of mine plays with a group of beginners at a local public course where they do this. The other thing is to look at whether a club has some form of Whatsapp group for new joiners who can use that as a means to find partners to play with.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thank you. I’m not sure I would get the benefits of joining a club as could only play at the weekends or in the summer after work. It’s good to know that its easy to get into regardless of ability and it sound like golfers are a friendly bunch.

Some clubs offer weekday-only and weekend-only memberships I think.